Friday 12 August 2016 - Elias Jahshan

Value retailer Wilko has appointed Anthony Houghton as its new retail director.

According to Retail Week, Houghton – who is currently Argos retail stores director – will replace Robin Lassiter, who it set to step down in June 2017 after 10 years in the role.

The news comes as Wilko sets out plans to grow its presence in London and southeast England with smaller format stores.

The company is reportedly setting eyes on prime high street locations along Oxford St and Tottenham Court Rd, as well as in Brixton, Camden Town, Hackney, Victoria, Surrey Quays, Ealing Broadway and Greenwich.

Outside London, Bristol, Oxford, Milton Keynes and Brighton were also listed as possible new stores, according to Retail Week.

Wilko opened eight shops in the year to January 30, including a 3000 sq ft shop – a stark contrast to its usual 18,000 sq ft format – on London’s High Street Kensington. It now operates 389 stores.

“We have a strong ambition to open up to 100 new stores over the next five years and London is one of our key acquisition areas,” a Wilko spokesperson told Retail Week.